Translator's Lens
At first glance, this item is nothing more than a small, circular piece of glass set into a metal frame which also has a polished wooden handle. Adventurers may have encountered Gnomish engineers using devices like this to peer closely into the inner workings of their intricate devices. Some scholars, particularly those of advanced age, also use similar devices to grant them an enlarged view of written words in books and scrolls - compensating for their "aged eyes". Being discovered in the chambers of the ancient academy's headmaster, someone examining this item might at first consider a very poor example of a device intended for this latter purpose, since it doesn't seem to enlarge anything viewed through it -- until it is passed over text in a language not native to the wielder.
The other two limitations have to do with the parentage and knowledge of the wielder. The lens is apparently not aware of the language capabilities of its current wielder; it always renders text in the language that is considered native to the wielder's species without regard for whether the individual understands that language. An Awkwana raised from a hatchling by Dwarves and taught nothing but Dwarvish, for example, will see unintelligible Awkwana writing through the lens; not the Dwarvish it learned as its first tongue.
Goblin and Kobold folk who attempt to use the lens are even further disappointed. Since neither of these folk ever developed a written form of their native tongues, if they attempt to read any document through the lens, they will see nothing at all.
Item Name
Translator's Lens
Rarity
Rare
Value
200gp
Effects
If passed over any nonmagical text written in a language not native to the wielder, the words viewed through the lens are rendered in the native form and tongue of the wielder's parentage.
The lens cannot translate magical writing.
The lens does not "know" if the wielder can actually understand the language it displays.
Goblins and Kobolds cannot use the lens; having no native written language, there is nothing to display.
NOTE: The information appearing in the spoiler below will be moved into a Gamemaster Subscriber Only region after the completion of the February, 2024 Cabinet of Curiosities Challenge.
Gamemaster's Notes
Description
The device consists of a disk of especially clear, flawless quartz crystal which has been polished to a smooth, flat surface on both sides. This disk is approximately 4in (10cm) in diameter. A thin band of pure gold encircles the crystal and attaches it to a polished handle of mahogany wood which can be used to grip the device and hold it between eye and some written text.Effects
When written text is viewed through the lens, the text visible through the lens appears as if it were written in the language and format considered native to the wielder's parentage (i.e. species).Limitations
The Translator's Lens has three known limitations. Foremost is the fact that it cannot translate any writings of a magical nature. Texts written using the language and symbology of one of the five magical Disciplines is not translated - it appears unaltered when viewed through the lens.The other two limitations have to do with the parentage and knowledge of the wielder. The lens is apparently not aware of the language capabilities of its current wielder; it always renders text in the language that is considered native to the wielder's species without regard for whether the individual understands that language. An Awkwana raised from a hatchling by Dwarves and taught nothing but Dwarvish, for example, will see unintelligible Awkwana writing through the lens; not the Dwarvish it learned as its first tongue.
Goblin and Kobold folk who attempt to use the lens are even further disappointed. Since neither of these folk ever developed a written form of their native tongues, if they attempt to read any document through the lens, they will see nothing at all.
Limitations
NOTE: The information appearing in the spoiler below will be moved into a Gamemaster Subscriber Only region after the completion of the February, 2024 Cabinet of Curiosities Challenge.
Gamemaster's Notes
A human reading a text written in Commonspeech, or a Dwarf scanning a Dwarvish text will not notice any effect at all. Since the lens does not magnify in any way, such a wielder might believe the device to be useless.
If the text being scanned is not written in a "magical language", but consists of mundane text that has been magically altered in some way to read differently than it was written, the lens will translate the altered message. It cannot "see through" an illusion or alteration imposed by magic.
If the text being scanned is not written in a "magical language", but consists of mundane text that has been magically altered in some way to read differently than it was written, the lens will translate the altered message. It cannot "see through" an illusion or alteration imposed by magic.
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